p63 in corneal and epidermal differentiation.

The transcription factor p63, belonging to the p53 family, is considered the master regulator of epidermal differentiation, skin, and in general of the differentiation of ectodermal tissues. Mutations in TP63 gene cause several rare ectodermal dysplasia disorders that refers to epidermal structural abnormalities and ocular surface disease, such as Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia Clefting (EEC) syndrome. In this review, we discuss the key roles of p63 in keratinocytes and corneal epithelial differentiation, highlighting the function of the ΔNp63α isoform in driving limbal stem cell and epithelial stem cells commitment. We have summarized the specific ocular phenotypes observed in the TP63-mutation derived EEC syndrome, discussing the current and novel therapeutic strategies for the management of the ocular manifestations in EEC syndrome.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Gerry Melino reports financial support was provided by Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca contro il Cancro (AIRC). Eleonora Candi reports financial support was provided by Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca contro il Cancro (AIRC). Eleonora Candi reports financial support was provided by Fondazione Luigi Maria Monti IDI-IRCCS. Eleonora Candi reports financial support was provided by Ministry of Health & MAECI Italy-China Science and Technology Cooperation. Eleonora Candi reports financial support was provided by LazioInnova Progetto Gruppo di Ricerca. Gerry Melino reports financial support was provided by LazioInnova Progetto Gruppo di Ricerca.
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